21 March 2019
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The coins, issued by Pobjoy Mint, feature Queen Victoria's Great Seal of the Realm, and are available in proof sterling silver, uncirculated cupro nickel and gold.
Born on 24 May 1819 at Kensington Palace, Victoria was christened ‘Alexandrina Victoria’ but from birth was formally addressed as Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Kent. She became Queen Victoria at 18 years of age and was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20th June 1837 until her death on 22nd January 1901.
Her reign of 63 years, seven months and two days was longer than that of any of her predecessors. The Victorian Era was a period of great change in Britain, with the Empire expanding to the largest that had ever existed, ruling nearly a quarter of the world’s population.
Britain's connection with South Georgia
Captain James Cook first landed on South Georgia in 1775 and claimed the island for Great Britain. The claim was then formalized in 1843 by the issuing of Letters Patent. These legal documents, issued by the monarch, enabled the formal creation of a government for the islands. Letters Patent are made official with the inclusion of the Great Seal of the Realm and it is therefore particularly apt that to mark this anniversary the two coins from South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands feature images from Queen Victoria’s Great Seal.
Coin details
The first coin shows the reverse of the Great Seal of Queen Victoria. This intricate design shows the queen seated on a throne with the symbolic figures of Justice and Religion seated on either side. The Royal Arms and crown are shown below, wreathed with oaks and roses.
The second coin in the set shows the obverse of the seal with Queen Victoria riding on horseback, crowned and holding a sceptre. A page is shown alongside who is holding the horse’s reins.
The obverse of the coin features an exclusive Pobjoy Mint effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
Issue date: 21 March 2019
Diameter: 38.60mm (cupro nickel and sterling silver) 13.92mm (gold)
Weight: 28.28g (cupro nickel and sterling silver) 1.24g (gold)
Available as a two coin set or individual coins, the Proof Sterling Silver and the Proof Fine 1/25oz Gold coins are shipped encapsulated in an acrylic capsule for protection and housed in a stunning red box with a Certificate of Authenticity. The Cupro Nickel coins are shipped in a unique Pobjoy Mint blue presentation pouch. To order, visit Pobjoy's website.
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